Horses strain Alaqua Animal Refuge (GALLERY)

Published: Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at 04:57 PM.

FREEPORT — When a 25-year-old horse named Coda was brought to Alaqua Animal Refuge six weeks ago, he could barely stand on his own. Now, the American quarter horse is two months away from being fully rehabilitated.

Laurie Hood, who owns Alaqua, says Coda is one of 35 horses that have been brought to her refuge in recent months. That puts it at maximum capacity, and feed alone costs hundreds of dollars a month.

“We’re desperate now,” Hood said. “We don’t have money in our budget to care for this many horses. It’s just a bad time.”

Hood says the increase of horses comes from a poor economy and the Walton County Sheriff’s Office’s push to pursue animal abusers. She said it’s “bittersweet” saving the animals and then running short on resources to care for them.

Hood is asking for donations of feed or money to help her foster horses.

“Often, people don’t realize what they’re getting into when they get a horse,” Hood said. “There’s been some very serious cases, and when they are waiting to be in court we’re caring for the animals.

“We try to get money for their care, but we go in knowing oftentimes we won’t see any money. It’s a desperate situation out here.”

There are 30 horses on Alaqua’s 10-acre property. Another five are at foster homes.

Hood estimated the monthly cost for each horse is about $250.

Collectively, the horses eat 90 pounds of feed and several bales of hay each day.

Dr. Amy Williams, Alaqua’s veterinarian, says she has seen miracles at the refuge. She said horses on death’s door have been given proper nutrition and medical care and have returned to be thriving animals.

“My opinion is that the economy plays a lot into it,” Williams said. “The cost of feed increased significantly, and you have these horse traders who can’t turn a profit so they stop feeding them.

“There’s people who love their horses and care for them, and then there’s people wanting to make money or who love them until they realize the cost. Those people’s horses end up here.”

Coda was surrendered to the refuge after his owner said he could no longer care for the animal. Hood said when the horse arrived every bone in his body was visible and patches of hair were missing.

She said Coda had severe dental problems that prevented him from eating. After he was treated by a veterinary dentist, he looked healthier just weeks after arriving.

“You could see it in his eyes; he just wanted to give up,” Hood said as she pet Coda. “Now look at him. He’s healthy. He’s happy. You can see that in his eyes, too.”

FREEPORT — When a 25-year-old horse named Coda was brought to Alaqua Animal Refuge six weeks ago, he could barely stand on his own. Now, the American quarter horse is two months away from being fully rehabilitated.

Laurie Hood, who owns Alaqua, says Coda is one of 35 horses that have been brought to her refuge in recent months. That puts it at maximum capacity, and feed alone costs hundreds of dollars a month.

“We’re desperate now,” Hood said. “We don’t have money in our budget to care for this many horses. It’s just a bad time.”

Hood says the increase of horses comes from a poor economy and the Walton County Sheriff’s Office’s push to pursue animal abusers. She said it’s “bittersweet” saving the animals and then running short on resources to care for them.

Hood is asking for donations of feed or money to help her foster horses.

“Often, people don’t realize what they’re getting into when they get a horse,” Hood said. “There’s been some very serious cases, and when they are waiting to be in court we’re caring for the animals.

“We try to get money for their care, but we go in knowing oftentimes we won’t see any money. It’s a desperate situation out here.”

There are 30 horses on Alaqua’s 10-acre property. Another five are at foster homes.

Hood estimated the monthly cost for each horse is about $250.

Collectively, the horses eat 90 pounds of feed and several bales of hay each day.

Dr. Amy Williams, Alaqua’s veterinarian, says she has seen miracles at the refuge. She said horses on death’s door have been given proper nutrition and medical care and have returned to be thriving animals.

“My opinion is that the economy plays a lot into it,” Williams said. “The cost of feed increased significantly, and you have these horse traders who can’t turn a profit so they stop feeding them.

“There’s people who love their horses and care for them, and then there’s people wanting to make money or who love them until they realize the cost. Those people’s horses end up here.”

Coda was surrendered to the refuge after his owner said he could no longer care for the animal. Hood said when the horse arrived every bone in his body was visible and patches of hair were missing.

She said Coda had severe dental problems that prevented him from eating. After he was treated by a veterinary dentist, he looked healthier just weeks after arriving.

“You could see it in his eyes; he just wanted to give up,” Hood said as she pet Coda. “Now look at him. He’s healthy. He’s happy. You can see that in his eyes, too.”